Best Capacity Building Grants for Nonprofits in Montana

The Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Research Centers are offering supplemental funding for Special Interest Projects (SIPs) aimed at enhancing public health practices. These projects will focus on innovative health promotion and disease prevention strategies to mitigate leading health risks in the U.S. The initiative supports ten specific SIPs, including studies on cancer care, alcohol use reduction, and emergency preparedness, thereby fostering research that translates into real-world health improvements.

Council on Foundations

The Council on Foundations is a nonprofit membership association that serves as a guide for philanthropies as they advance the greater good. Building on our 75-year history, the Council supports over 1,000 member organizations in the United States and around the world to build trust in philanthropy, expand pathways to giving, engage broader perspectives, and co-create solutions that will lead to a better future for all. 

Council Awards

Our awards program recognizes excellence in philanthropy and honors leaders for their dedication to explore creative ways to advance the common good and fund solutions for complex issues. The Council Awards recognize exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact across the philanthropic sector.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award was first presented in 1984 and highlights those who not only have accomplished a great deal in the field of philanthropy, but have also done so while exemplifying the intellect, integrity, and leadership to which the field aspires.

Award Criteria

The criteria for this award reflects the characteristics and attributes of philanthropy’s foremost leaders. The individual should possess qualities such as:

• Leadership: The individual has demonstrated admirable leadership in the face of crisis or has shown a unique capacity to take their organization and the field to new heights.
• Courage: The individual has taken stands on issues important to them and their work and is willing to push their organization and the field to do better.
• Integrity: The individual embodies qualities such as fairness, a commitment to equity, and a willingness to admit faults and learn from mistakes.
• Trust: The individual centers trust in their relationships with partners and other stakeholders and furthers public trust in philanthropy.

Through your nomination, you can acknowledge the work of a trustee or staff member working in philanthropy who has made a critical difference in the field and demonstrated leadership in times of crisis, charting new paths for the social sector.One supplemental material upload is required (no more than five total items) may be uploaded to provide documentation and support of achievements. These supplemental materials may include, but not limited to: reference letter, endorsement, or letter of support for the nomination from the community leadership (i.e., nonprofit, grantee partner, or a government leader), videos, news articles, report, or publication, organizational strategic plan or annual report, or individuals resume.

The Council on Foundations prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, sex, ethnicity, religion, or national origin, to each such award.

About Us

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

USS Indianapolis/Gwinn "Angel" Scholarship

Available to descendants of family members who are directly linked to USS Indianapolis, such as a final crew member (Survivor or Lost at Sea), rescue crew, or honorary survivor. Other unique affiliations with the ship's legacy will be considered by the board of review.  

The Fiscal Year 2027 Regional Nutrition Hubs initiative by the US HHS aims to enhance nutrition services across regional health centers. By providing targeted technical assistance, the program seeks to improve health outcomes through effective nutritional interventions. This initiative supports HRSA's mission to expand access to high-quality healthcare services, ultimately benefiting communities by addressing dietary needs and managing health conditions. With a focus on collaboration, the program is set to strengthen the health infrastructure at the local level.

The NIH Specialized Center Grant (Parent P50) aims to support multidisciplinary research programs with a specific scientific theme. Applicants must include an administrative core, research projects, and at least one resource core, demonstrating collaborative impact and synergy. This funding opportunity encourages innovative approaches to address major scientific objectives, fostering long-term research initiatives aligned with the NIH's mission. Applications should emphasize how their projects interconnect to achieve goals beyond individual efforts.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Regional Scholarships

We believe that post-secondary education is key to healthy, resilient, and thriving communities and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students across the region.

Riopelle/Dowden Technical Scholarship Endowment (Regional)

Available to students from the five county area that are enrolled, or planning to enroll, in an associate's degree, certificate, or apprenticeship program.

Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation

The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation began in 1992 when a group of community champions came together around a vision to give back to our region then, now, and forever.

This vision lives on within our organization today as we support the people and places of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians.

Together with our partners, we spark positive change for a variety of local causes, including youth, arts and culture, education, environment, and health and human services, across our region.

Regional Scholarships

We believe that post-secondary education is key to healthy, resilient, and thriving communities and are pleased to partner with generous community donors to create and offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for local students across the region.

Ragland Bloem Scholarship Fund (Antrim and Kalkaska Counties)

Available to graduating seniors from Antrim or Kalkaska Counties who are planning to pursue education in environmental or related studies.

Witness To Win Inc

Witness to Win, Inc. is a product of the Mathena family’s deep commitment to honoring God and God’s mission as stated in Matthew 28:19-20. These legacy values of giving and sharing were not only taught but were caught by the Mathena children. Many times, foundations are created to honor people and their legacy; however, Gary, Teresa, David, Melissa and John’s desire is to glorify the person of Jesus Christ and make Him known to all peoples. Therefore, the Mathena children unanimously decided to create the Witness to Win Foundation in 2017.

Over the past 10 years, the Mathena Family has given over $80M through their tithes and offerings to their local churches and to charitable organizations whose sole purpose is to share the love and message of Jesus Christ. 

Witness to Win Grant Program

To encourage and support charitable 501(c)(3) organizations who have as among their primary purpose to share and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the nations. These organizations will directly fulfill this purpose through Christian religious education and qualified Christian ministries. These charitable organizations must all be headquartered in the United States and must adhere to Christian, moral, and conservative standards of belief and conduct as specified in our Statements of Belief.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Oneita J. Waltenberger Scholarship Fund

Established in 2015, this scholarship provides support to current or former residents of DeKalb County, IL, who are pursuing undergraduate or post-graduate education in the healthcare field. Current high school students, including high school seniors, do not qualify.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Wehrli Custom Fabrication Scholarship Fund

The Wehrli Custom Fabrication company created the scholarship to aid students interested in pursuing a career in the trades. The Fund supports two annual scholarships. The first is for a student attending a trade school or 2-year college, and the second benefits a student attending a 4-year college or university. Eligible areas of study include welding, machine tooling, auto mechanics, auto body, business management, and mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or agricultural engineering.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Robert J. and Norma E. Bazzett Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Robert J. and Norma E. Bazzett, who established the Robert J. and Norma E. Bazzett Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Robert, a 1959 graduate of Ludington High School, said he always had the idea in the back of his mind to establish a scholarship fund for the “average” student. “I always felt there was a need for that,” Robert said, “because there are a lot of kids like me that were just average C students in high school. We were cut out of the scholarship picture because our grades weren’t good enough, but that didn’t mean we were not worthy of a scholarship.”

MSU Staff Scholarship

Award

• Varies

Supplemental Questions

• Will you be a Professional or Classified staff at MSU with an FTE of 0.75 or higher though out the proposed enrollment period?
• What is your proposed enrollment period?
• If awarded, what MUS institution is the applicant enrolled?
• Major/Area of Interest
• Submit a 500–750 word personal statement detailing your educational background, major, and academic achievements, along with your involvement in campus and community activities. Explain your plan for completing your degree, your short- and long-term career goals, and how your education will empower you to give back to your community through mentorship, service, advocacy, or professional work. Provide specific examples to illustrate your experiences, aspirations, and the impact you hope to make.

The Community Foundation Martin – St. Lucie’s (TCFMSL) Fundholders, Friends and Partners are proud to present scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors and adults looking to upskill. Each scholarship has distinct criteria.

Jenn DuBey Career & Technical Education Scholarship

All residents of Martin or St. Lucie County.

Awards

• $Cost of program taken into account Full and partial scholarships available.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Adam Murphy Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Memorial Medical Center West Michigan Medical Staff for Tim and Anne Murphy, who created the Adam Murphy Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Adam was a gifted and talented young man. He had a sharp wit and a sense of humor. Adam was a beloved student at Ludington Area Catholic School, where he attended through the eighth grade, and was a freshman at Ludington High School at the time of his passing. He was a board designer and a member of the Varsity Quiz Bowl Team at Ludington High School. Adam actively participated in Spelling Bees and Math Counts and was a state finalist in the You Be the Chemist competition. Family and Faith were also of the utmost importance in his life.

United Negro College Fund

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”®

For more than seven decades, this principle has remained at the heart of UNCF, enabling us to raise more than $5 billion and help more than 500,000 students and counting not just attend college, but thrive, graduate and become leaders.

We do this in three ways: By awarding more than 12,000 students scholarships, worth more than $65 million, each year. By providing financial support to 37 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). And by serving as the nation’s leading advocate for the importance of minority education and community engagement.

Henry C. McBay Faculty Research Fellowship

Dr. Henry Ransom Cecil McBay (May 29, 1914 – 1995) was an American chemist renowned for his excellence in teaching and mentorship. He received numerous awards for his commitment to encouraging disadvantaged students to pursue careers in the chemical sciences, including the American Chemical Society Award for Encouraging Disadvantaged Students into Careers in the Chemical Sciences.

The Henry C. McBay Faculty Research Fellowship is open to faculty members at UNCF member institutions and supports faculty-led research conducted in partnership with a student researcher or intern.

The fellowship provides:

• Up to $15,000 to support faculty research in a field of the recipient’s choosing
• Up to $3,000 to support a student researcher/intern
• Total possible award: $18,000

All funded projects must be completed within one academic year and no later than Spring 2027.

Reporting Requirements

Each principal investigator is required to:

• Submit a written final report on the research project at the end of Spring 2027
• A published paper or submitted manuscript may be substituted for the final report
• Submit a financial report detailing fellowship expenditures within six months of completing the grant

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Alberta Muzzin Chamber Alliance of Mason County Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of the Ludington & Scottville Chamber of Commerce, which established the Alberta Muzzin Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Alger Regional Community FoundationThe Alger Regional Community Foundation (ARCF) is a locally based 501(C)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Alger County through grants and scholarships.ARCF is a unique institution. It is a permanent, yet flexible, collection of endowment funds contributed by people from all walks of life who want to make a difference in our community.Clarence A. Thunander Endowment Scholarship FundGiven to an Alger County graduate who is continuing his/her education at an institution of higher learning in the medical-related field. The student receiving this award will be required to have completed 50 hours of satisfactory college credit with 10 hours in a medical-related field and provide college transcripts. They must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale. They must be attending an accredited college and pursuing a minimum of a 4-year degree in a medical-related field.

Community Foundation for Mason County, MI

At the Community Foundation for Mason County, we work with donors, grantees, and advisors to address key community issues. As a leader in community philanthropy, building a vibrant community with great opportunities for all, we are focused on advancing education, increasing recreation opportunities, and community and economic development.

The mission of the Community Foundation is to engage donors and connect them with opportunities to make a lasting impact, build community endowment, provide leadership on key issues, and make grants that reflect the communities we serve.

Everett J. Liebetreu Education Scholarship

This scholarship has been made possible by the generosity of Everett J. Liebetreu, who established the Everett J. Liebetreu Scholarship of the Community Foundation for Mason County.

Scholarship amounts vary depending on the scholarship applied for. Applicants are encouraged to apply for as many awards as they are eligible to increase the likelihood of receiving one or more awards.

Scholarships can be used for cost of attendance, direct education expenses, including tuition, books, and/or other school-related fees.

If you receive an award, be sure to complete your scholarship acceptance form (online portal). Scholarship awards are paid directly to the academic institution by the end of August.

Esther Mae Nesbitt Medical Student Scholarship Fund

This scholarship supports past or current Illinois residents who are either accepted for enrollment or currently enrolled as a full-time student at an approved college of medicine. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Preference is given to female applicants and current or former residents of DeKalb County, IL.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Talbot Co. Public Schools Career and Technology Scholarship

Awarded to students graduating from Talbot County Public Schools, who are planning to attend a vocational, trade, or career school.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Kate Elliott Shannahan Trades Scholarship

Awarded to students graduating from Talbot County Public Schools, who are planning to attend a vocational, trade, or career school.

Scholarships for High School Seniors

Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties, who are planning to attend a college, university, or trade school. In general, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, community service, financial need, and other criteria specified by the donor.

Omer and Marie Dulin Scholarship

Awarded to Mid-Shore students, who are planning to pursue programs in Agriculture.

The Laurel High School Alumni Association Scholarships, managed by the Delaware Community Foundation, provide vital financial assistance to graduating seniors whose parents have been active members for at least three years. These scholarships can be applied to both two-year and four-year colleges or trade schools, supporting students with a minimum GPA of 2.50. For the 2024-2025 school year, a record $850,000 was awarded to 245 students, showcasing the foundation's commitment to advancing educational opportunities.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship

The Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship is offered by CalRTA Napa Valley and administered by Napa Valley Community Foundation. It is awarded in memory of Judith B. Cutcomb, a St. Helena educator. The Cutcomb Scholarship supports current St. Helena Unified School District teachers who are continuing their education or graduates of St. Helena High School studying to be educators. Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply.

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Daisy Cavalli Scholarship Fund

The Daisy Cavalli Scholarship Fund benefits graduating seniors who attend a Napa Valley Unified School District high school and will be enrolling in a trade school, community college, or four-year college/university. Recipients will receive funding for each year that they are enrolled as a full-time student.

Consideration is given to first generation college students (i.e. neither parent has obtained a Bachelor’s Degree).

Napa Valley Community Foundation

We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.

Our Board and staff are completely dedicated to the people and causes of Napa Valley and represent communities from American Canyon to Calistoga. They share skills, perspectives and the collaborative spirit that define our Napa Valley diversity.

Edward W. Solomon Scholarship

The Edward W. Solomon Scholarship is offered by CalRTA Napa Valley and administered by Napa Valley Community Foundation. It is awarded in memory of Dr. Edward W. Solomon. The Solomon Scholarship is given to support current Napa County teachers/educators who are continuing their education. Previous recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate the potential for academic success by having been accepted in an upcoming college or university upper division or graduate level education program or course. Community college courses are acceptable only for current teachers who want/need to supplement their credential authorizations, and if the community college course is acceptable to the CTC Credentialing Office.

The FY 2027 DURIP program invites universities to submit proposals for purchasing essential research equipment and instrumentation that aligns with the Department of War's research priorities. This initiative aims to enhance educational experiences through research in fields crucial to national defense, supported by agencies such as the Army Research Office, Office of Naval Research, and Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Proposals should demonstrate the potential impact on student education and research capabilities.